Tape cassette receiving housing

ABSTRACT

A tape cassette receiving housing comprises a housing proper portion and a lid portion which is fixed to the housing proper portion through a hinge portion so as to enable to be opened or closed. Shaft portions are formed so as to penetrate into reel driving holes of a supply reel and a take-up reel of a tape cassette received in the housing proper portion. Elastic bodies are attached to outer peripheries of the shaft portions, and the elastic bodies are brought into contact with inner peripheral surfaces of reel driving holes. According to the above construction, a tape cassette is fixed in the tape cassette receiving housing so as not to incline the tape cassette and not to rotate the supply reel and the take-up reel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tape cassette receiving housing (itis also called a tape cassette carrying housing) which is used forstoring or carrying a large-sized heavy tape cassette such as a digitalvideo tape cassette or a digital data tape cassette that is used in abroadcasting station, and in particular to one which can prevent as muchas possible the received cassette from moving in an axial direction of apositioning shaft portion formed in the housing and a reel from rotatingby an impact upon falling in such a case that the tape cassettereceiving housing has been dropped by mistake.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tape cassettes for business use are enlarged in size for improving thepicture quality and for extending the recording time. For example, atape cassette for digital recording and playback may have externaldimensions of a lateral width of 366 mm, a longitudinal width of 206 mmand a thickness of 33 mm. Its weight is also extremely heavy.

As a tape cassette receiving housing for receiving a tape cassette forbusiness use as the above, one shown in FIG. 22 is known.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a conventional tape cassette receivinghousing 101.

The tape cassette receiving housing 101 is equipped with a housingproper portion 102 for receiving a tape cassette such as a digital videotape cassette, a lid portion 103 for opening or closing an openingportion of the housing proper portion 102, and a pair of positioningshaft portions (engaging projection portions) 104, 105 formed on anupper surface of the housing proper portion 102.

The shaft portions 104, 105 are cylindrically formed so as to be smallerin diameter than reel driving holes 114, 115 of a supply reel 112 and atake-up reel 113 of the tape cassette 111. 116 . . . 116 are gear-likedriving ribs constituting the reel driving holes 114, 115.

When the tape cassette 111 is inserted into the housing proper portion102, as shown in FIG. 20, the shaft portions 104, 105 penetrate into thereel driving holes 114, 115 of the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel113 of the tape cassette 111, 115 and limit the movement of the tapecassette 111, thereby protecting the tape cassette from the impact uponfalling or the like.

Furthermore, FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a condition in which thetape cassette 111 is received in the tape cassette receiving housing101. In FIG. 23, 117 is a magnetic tape, 118 and 119 are upper and lowerflanges of the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113. 120 and 121 areupper and lower shells of the tape cassette 111. 122 is a reel holderattached to the upper shell 120. 123 is a reel spring. 124 is a reelplate.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing an interior of the tape cassette111.

In FIG. 24, 125 is a leader tape, and an end portion of the leader tape125 is clamped by a clamper 126 of the take-up reel side, between theclamper 126 and a clamper-attaching portion 128 formed on a shaftportion 127 of the take-up reel 113. 131 and 132 are first and secondratchet mechanisms placed on the outer sides of flanges of the supplyreel 112 and the take-up reel 112.

The first ratchet mechanism 131 comprises a ratchet tooth 135 formed onan outer periphery of the flange of the supply reel 112 and a ratchetpawl 134 which is to be meshed with the ratchet tooth 133.

Furthermore, the second ratchet mechanism 132 comprises a ratchet tooth135 formed on an outer periphery of the flange of the take-up reel 113and a ratchet pawl 136 which is to be meshed with the ratchet tooth 135.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, when the lid is in a closed condition,the ratchet pawl 134 of the first ratchet mechanism 131 is engaged withthe ratchet tooth 133 formed on the supply reel 112, thereby preventingthe supply reel 112 from rotating in a tape delivery direction (aclockwise direction in FIG. 24).

On the other hand, the ratchet pawl 136 of the second ratchet mechanism132 is engaged with the ratchet tooth 135 formed on the take-up reel113, thereby preventing the take-up reel 113 from rotating in a tapedelivery direction (a counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 24).

The above conventional tape cassette receiving housing has the followingproblems.

(1) When an impact force in a direction (hereinafter referred to as alateral direction) perpendicular to the axial direction (axial directionof the shaft portions 104, 105) is added by an impact upon falling orthe like, the shaft portions 104, 105 function effectively so as tosuppress the movement of the supply reel 112 or the take-up reel 113 inthe lateral direction. However, when an impact force in the axialdirection (referred to as a longitudinal direction) is added, the shaftportions 104, 105 hardly function. Thus, the supply reel 112 or thetake-up reel 113 moves in the longitudinal direction in a manner to comeoff the shaft portions 104, 105.

(2) When the supply reel 112 or the take-up reel 113 is in an inclinedcondition as shown in FIG. 25 and moves in the longitudinal direction bythe addition of an impact force in the longitudinal direction, endportions of the upper and lower flanges 118, 119 of the supply reel 112or the take-up reel 113 are brought into abutment with the upper andlower shells 120, 121. With this, the end portions of the upper andlower flanges 118, 119 are deformed, thereby damaging tape edges of themagnetic tape 117 positioned at the end portions.

(3) When a force in a rotational direction is added to the supply reel112 and the take-up reel 113 by the vibration upon the producttransportation or the like, the end portion of the leader tape 125 mayhave slipped off from a space between the clamper-attaching portion 128formed on the shaft portion 127 of the take-up reel 113 and the clamper126 attached to the attaching portion 128.

The reason will be explained as follows.

The supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 try to alternately rotatein a tape delivery direction and a tape take-up direction by thevibration upon the production transportation.

However, as is mentioned hereinabove, the supply reel 112 and thetake-up reel 113 are prevented by the first and second ratchetmechanisms 131, 132 from rotating in the tape delivery direction andpermitted to rotate only in the tape take-up direction.

By the way, upon shipping of the product, the magnetic tape is scarcelywound around the take-up reel 113, and, in contrast, it is fully woundaround the supply reel 112. Therefore, a difference will occur in momentof inertia, between the take-up reel 113 and the supply reel 112, and aforce to rotate in the tape take-up direction of the supply reel 112 isfar greater than a force to rotate in the tape take-up direction of thetake-up reel 113.

By the way, as is mentioned hereinabove, the rotation in the tapedelivery direction of the tape take-up reel 113 is suppressed by thesecond ratchet mechanism 132.

Therefore, the leader tape 125 of which end portion is clamped by theclamper 126 to the take-up reel 113 is intermittently pulled by thesupply reel 112.

With this, for example, the end portion of the leader tape 125relatively easily comes off the space between the clamper-attachingportion 128 and the clamper 126, in relation to a distance for clampingthe leader tape or the like between the clamper-attaching portion of theshaft portion 127 of the take-up reel 113 and the clamper 126 attachedto the attaching portion 128.

Furthermore, as is mentioned hereinabove, the supply reel 112 and thetake-up reel 113 are to be rotated only in the tape take-up direction bythe first and second ratchet mechanisms 131, 132. Therefore, the innerdiameter side of the magnetic tape 117 which is wound about the supplyreel 112 is pulled to the tape take-up side, and the outer diameter sidemoves in the tape delivery direction by the rotation of the take-up reel113.

Therefore, a so-called cinching will occur at a position where thebalance of the tape winding pressure is bad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a tape cassette receiving housingwhich solves the above conventional problems by suppressing the movementof a tape cassette in a housing and the rotations of a supply reel and atake-up reel and which enables it to sufficiently produce a protectiveeffect against an impact in the longitudinal direction as well as animpact in the lateral direction.

According to a first embodiment, in a tape cassette receiving housingwhich is equipped with a housing proper portion for receiving a tapecassette, a lid portion for opening or closing an opening portion of thehousing proper portion and shaft portions which penetrate into reeldriving holes of the tape cassette received in the housing properportion, elastic bodies are formed on the shaft portions, which elasticbodies are brought into a close contact with inner peripheral surfacesof the reel driving holes when the shaft portions are inserted into thereel driving holes.

A tape cassette receiving housing according to the first invention hasthe above-mentioned constitution. Therefore, when a tape cassette isreceived in the housing proper portion, the shaft portions penetrateinto the reel driving holes of the tape cassette, and the outerperiphery of the elastic body formed on the shaft portion is broughtinto a close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the reeldriving hole, thereby suppressing the movement of a tape cartridge in anaxial direction.

Therefore, even when, for example, the tape cassette receiving housingis dropped by mistake and thereby an impact force is added to a tapecassette in an axial direction, as shown in FIG. 25, end portions ofupper and lower flanges of a supply reel and a take-up reel can bepreviously prevented from impacting against upper and lower shells bythe movement of the tape cassette in the axial direction, thereby theend portions of the upper and lower flanges can be previously preventedfrom deforming, and thereby tape edges of a magnetic tape which arepositioned at the end portions can be previously prevented fromreceiving damage.

Furthermore, the rotation of the supply reel and the take-up reel issuppressed by the elastic body. Therefore, an end portion of a leadertape can be prevented from coming off a clamper.

Furthermore, the supply reel and the take-up reel are prevented fromrotating in the tape take-up direction as well as in the tape deliverydirection (the rotation in the tape take-up direction is not preventedby the conventional ratchet mechanism). Therefore, it is impossible thatan inner diameter side and an outer diameter side of a magnetic tapewound around the supply reel are pulled in opposite directions and thatthereby a balance of the tape winding pressure becomes lost. With this,the occurrence of cinching caused by the lost balance of the tapewinding pressure can be prevented.

Furthermore, upon falling or the like, in case that an impact force isadded to a tape cassette in a direction (lateral direction)perpendicular to the axial direction, the elastic body acts as a shockabsorber, thereby protecting the supply reel and the take-up reelagainst an impact.

According to a second embodiment, in a tape cassette receiving housingwhich is equipped with a housing proper portion for receiving a tapecassette, a lid portion for opening or closing an opening portion of thehousing proper portion and shaft portions which penetrate into reeldriving holes of the tape cassette received in the housing properportion, a cassette pressing member for pressing an upper shell or alower shell of a tape cassette received in the housing proper portionagainst an inner surface of the housing proper portion or the lidportion is formed.

A tape cassette receiving housing according to the second invention hasthe above-mentioned constitution. Therefore, the upper shell or thelower shell of a tape cassette is pressed by the cassette pressingmember against an inner surface of the housing proper portion or the lidportion, thereby suppressing the movement of a tape cassette in theaxial direction.

Therefore, a tape cassette can be protected against an impact in theaxial direction upon falling.

According to a third embodiment, in a tape cassette receiving housing ofthe second embodiment, the cassette pressing member comprises a reelholder pressing member which is projectingly formed on an inner surfaceof the lid portion and pushes down a reel holder of a tape cassette in acondition that the lid portion is closed.

A tape cassette receiving housing of the third invention has theabove-mentioned constitution. Therefore, when the lid portion is closed,the reel holder is pressed by the reel holder pressing member formed onan inner surface of the lid portion as the cassette pressing member, andthus the reel and the lower shell are pressed by the reel holder againstan inner surface of the housing proper portion.

Therefore, a tape cassette is prevented from moving in the axialdirection, and thus the tape cassette is protected against an impact inthe axial direction upon falling.

According to a fourth embodiment, in a tape cassette receiving housingof the third embodiment, the reel holder pressing member is formed by anelastic body.

According to a tape cassette receiving housing of the fourth invention,the reel holder pressing member is formed by an elastic body. Therefore,when the reel holder collides with the reel holder pressing member witha pressure of at least a predetermined value by an impact upon fallingor the like, the reel holder pressing member is elastically deformed.

Therefore, the impact is absorbed by the deformation, thereby protectingthe reel holder.

According to a fifth embodiment, in the second tape cassette receivinghousing, the cassette pressing member comprises a sucker which is formedon the housing proper portion and sucks a tape cassette received in thehousing proper portion toward the housing proper portion side.

According to a tape cassette receiving housing of the fifth embodiment,when a tape cassette is received in the housing proper, the tapecassette is adhered to and sucked by the sucker formed on the housingproper portion, thereby pressing the lower shell of the tape cassetteagainst an inner surface of the housing proper portion.

Therefore, the tape cassette is prevented from moving in the axialdirection, and thus the tape cassette is protected against an impactupon falling or the like.

According to a sixth embodiment, in a tape cassette receiving housing ofthe second invention, the cassette pressing member comprises a seatingportion for placing a reel thereon, which is projectingly formed on aninner surface of the housing proper portion and lifts up a reel or areel holder of a tape cassette received in the housing proper portion tothereby press the reel holder against an inner surface of the lidportion.

According to a tape cassette receiving housing of the sixth invention,when a tape cassette is received in the housing proper portion, thesupply reel and the take-up reel are placed on the seating portion, thusthey are lifted up by the seating portion to the upper shell side, thusthe reel holder, is raised, and thus a head portion of the reel holderis pressed against an inner surface of the lid portion.

Therefore, the tape cassette takes a fixed condition between the seatingportion and the inner surface of the lid portion, thereby suppressingthe movement in the axial direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastic body;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified example of the elastic body;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified example of the elastic body;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified example of the elastic body;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified example of the elastic body;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an attached condition of the elasticbody;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified example of the elastic body;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an attached condition of the elasticbody;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified example of the elastic body;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an attached condition of the elasticbody;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a welded condition of the elasticbody;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a vertically sectional view of an essential portion in acondition that a tape reel idle-rotation limiting member of the sixthembodiment is attached;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the essential portion shown by sectioning aroof surface of an idle rotation limiting portion of the tape reelidle-rotation limiting member in the condition of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a conventional example;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the conventional example;

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an interior of a tape cassette; and

FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing problems of the conventionalexample.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Then, the invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1-21.

FIGS. 1-13 show a tape cassette receiving housing of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in a condition that the lid of the tapecassette receiving housing is opened.

A tape cassette receiving housing 1 is equipped with a housing properportion 2 which receives a tape cassette 111 and made of plastic, a lidportion 4 which is attached to a side portion of the housing properportion 2 through a thin-thickness hinge portion 3, and a pair ofcylindrical shaft portions (engaging projection portions) 5, 6 forpositioning a cassette, which shaft portions are formed on an uppersurface of the housing proper portion 2.

The shaft portions 5, 6 have elastic bodies 7 which are brought into aclose contact with inner peripheral surfaces of the reel driving holes114, 115 when the shaft portions 5, 6 are inserted into reel drivingholes 114, 115 of the tape cassette 111.

The elastic body 7 is an elastic material such as rubber, plastic or thelike as shown in FIG. 3, and is formed in a cylindrical shape andgenerally the same in length as the length (height) of the shaftportions 5, 6.

An inner diameter φ₁ of the cylindrical elastic body 7 is the same as orslightly smaller than an outer diameter φ₂ of the shaft portions 5, 6.

Furthermore, an outer diameter φ₃ of the cylindrical elastic body 7 isformed so as to be slightly larger than an inner diameter of the reeldriving holes 114, 115 of the tape cassette 111.

The cylindrical elastic bodies 7 are fixed under a condition that theyare forced into an outer periphery of the shaft portions 5, 6.

Furthermore, when the tape cassette 111 is inserted into the housingproper portion 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the shaft portions 5, 6 penetrateinto the reel driving holes 114, 115 of the tape cassette 111 and outerperipheral surfaces of the elastic bodies 7 are brought into a closecontact with inner peripheral surfaces of the reel driving holes 114,115.

Therefore, even when a tape cassette receiving housing is dropped bymistake and a force for moving the tape cassette 111 in an axialdirection of the shaft portions 5, 6 is added by a impact force uponfalling or the like, the movement of the tape cassette 111 in an axialdirection of the shaft portions 5, 6 is suppressed by a frictionalresistance between the members and the rotation of the supply reel andthe take-up reel of the tape cassette 111 is suppressed.

FIGS. 4-13 show modified examples of the elastic body 7.

A modified example of FIG. 4 shows a case that the elastic body 7 isformed so as to have a form of ribs (rods).

The elastic bodies 7 in the form of ribs are attached to notched grooves8 . . . 8 which are radially formed on the outer peripheral surfaces ofthe shaft portions 5, 6, and outer surfaces of the elastic bodies 7 . .. 7 in the form of ribs, which are attached to these notched grooves 8 .. . 8, are to be in contact with inner peripheral surfaces of the reeldriving holes 114, 115.

A modified example of FIG. 5 shows a case that the elastic body 7comprises a cylindrical portion 7a and projection portions 7b . . . 7bwhich are formed, in the axial direction, on an outer peripheral surfaceof the cylindrical portion 7a.

The elastic body 7 is attached to the shaft portion 5, 6 by the use ofthe cylindrical portion 7a, and outer peripheral surfaces of theprojection portions 7b . . . 7b which are radially projectingly formedon the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7a are to bein contact with the inner peripheral surface of the reel driving hole114, 115.

A modified example of FIG. 6 shows a case that the elastic body 7 isformed in the form of a so-called cap by a cylindrical portion 7a and atruncated cone portion 7c which is formed so as to be connected to theupper end of the cylindrical portion 7a.

Furthermore, the elastic body 7 is to be attached to the shaft portion5, 6 in a manner to put a cap thereon.

A modified example of FIG. 7 shows a case that the elastic body 7 isformed with a cylindrical portion 7a and an upper surface plate 7d whichis formed so as to cover the upper end of the cylindrical portion 7a.

A hole 7e for removing air is formed at a center portion of the uppersurface plate 7d.

Furthermore, as is shown in FIG. 8, the lower end of the cylindricalportion 7a is outwardly folded, then the cylindrical portion 7a is puton the shaft portion 5, 6, and then the folded portion is unfolded tothereby attach the elastic body 7 to the shaft portion 5, 6.

A modified example of FIG. 9 shows a case that the elastic body 7 isformed in the form of a truncated cone with opened upper and lower ends.

A diameter D₁ of an opened portion on the upper end side of the elasticbody 7 with a truncated cone shape is larger than a diameter D₂ of anopened portion of the lower end side, and it is a so-called inversetruncated-cone in shape.

The diameters D₁ and D₂ of the opened portions on the upper and lowersides are smaller than a diameter D₃ of the shaft portion 5, 6.

Furthermore, as is shown in FIG. 10, the opened portion on the lower endside of the elastic body 7 is brought into abutment with an uppersurface of the shaft portion 5, 6, and then the opened portion of theupper end side is put on a peripheral surface of the shaft portion 5, 6in a manner to fold the opened portion of the upper end side to therebyattach the elastic body 7 to the shaft portion 5, 6.

A modified example of FIG. 11 shows that the elastic body 7 is formed bypunching an elastic sheet to get a ringlike shape.

Furthermore, as is shown in FIG. 12, the ringlike elastic body 7 is puton and attached to the shaft portion 5, 6 while the elastic body 7 isstretched.

FIG. 13 shows a case that an upper portion of an elastic body 7 attachedto the shaft portion 5, 6 is welded to the shaft portion 5, 6 with heator an ultrasonic welding machine 9 to thereby prevent the elastic body 7from coming off the shaft portion 5, 6. 10 is a welding portion.

FIGS. 14-15 show a tape cassette receiving housing of another embodimentof the present invention.

In this embodiment, a tape cassette receiving housing 1 is equipped witha housing proper portion 2 which receives a tape cassette 111 and madeof plastic, a lid portion 4 which is attached to a side portion of thehousing proper portion 2 through a thin-thickness hinge portion 3, and apair of cylindrical shaft portions 5, 6 which are formed on an uppersurface of the housing proper portion 2, and a cassette pressing member11 for pressing an upper shell or a lower shell of a tape cassette 111received in the housing proper portion 2 against an inner surface of thehousing proper portion 2 or the lid portion 4 (the second invention).

The cassette pressing members 11 are formed with a pair of reel holderpressing members 12, 12 which press the reel holders 122, 122 of thetape cassette 111 against an inner surface of the lid portion 4 when thelid portion is closed.

The above pair of reel holder pressing members 12 are formed so as to beintegral with the lid portion 4 by projecting portions (positionscorresponding to the reel holders 122, 122 of the supply reel 112 andthe take-up reel 113 of the tape cassette 111 received in the housingproper portion 2) of the inner surface of the lid portion 4.

Furthermore, when the tape cassette is received in the housing properportion 2 and then the lid portion is closed, as is shown in FIG. 15,the reel holder pressing members 12, 12 formed on the lid portion 4press the reel holders 122, 122 of the tape cassette 111.

When the reel holders 122, 122 are pushed down, the supply reel 112 andthe take-up reel 113 are pushed down through the reel spring 123 and thereel plate 124, and the lower shell 121 is pushed down through thesereels 112, 113. With this, lower surfaces of the supply reel 112 and thetake-up reel 113 and the lower shell 121 are pressed against the innersurface of the housing proper portion 2.

Therefore, when the tape cassette receiving housing is dropped bymistake and a force for moving the tape cassette 111 in an axialdirection of the shaft portions 5, 6 is added, a pressing force by thereel holders 122, 122 prevents the tape cassette 111 from moving in theaxial direction of the shaft portions 5, 6.

FIG. 16 shows a tape cassette receiving housing of another embodiment.

In this embodiment, the reel holder pressing member 12 is made in theform of a plate with an elastic material such as rubber and plastic andattached to the inner surface of the lid portion 4.

Thus, when an impact force of at least a predetermined value acts on thereel holder 122 upon falling or the like, the reel holder pressingmember 12 is compressed, acts as a so-called shock absorbing material,and prevents a breaking accident of the reel holder 122 or the like.

FIG. 17 shows a tape cassette receiving housing of another embodiment ofthe present invention.

In this embodiment, the cassette pressing member 11 is constituted byforming a sucker 13 which is formed on the housing proper portion 2 sideand sucks the tape cassette received in the housing proper portion 2toward the housing proper portion 2 side.

The sucker 13 is made of a soft synthetic resin, hornlike in shape, andattached to the upper surface of the shaft portion 5, 6.

Thus, when the tape cassette is received in the housing proper portion 2and then the lid portion 4 is closed, the reel plate 124 of the tapecassette 111 is pressed against the sucker 13 and air between the sucker13 and the reel plate 124 is removed. With this, a so-called reducedpressure condition is obtained so that the reel plate 124 is adhered toby the sucker 13.

Thus, lower surfaces of the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 andthe lower shell 121, of which reel plate 124 is suctioned to the sucker13, are pressed against the inner surface of the housing proper portion2.

Therefore, similar to the previous embodiments, even when, for example,the tape cassette is dropped by mistake and a force for moving a tapecassette in an axial direction of the shaft portions 5, 6 is added, themovement of the tape cassette in an axial direction of the shaftportions 5, 6 is prevented.

FIG. 18 shows a tape cassette receiving housing of another embodiment ofthe present invention.

In this embodiment, the cassette pressing member 11 is constituted byprojectingly forming a seating portion 14 for placing a reel thereon,which lifts up the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 of the tapecassette 111 received in the housing proper portion 2 toward the uppershell 120 side, on the inner surface of the housing proper portion 2.

The seating portion 14 is circularly formed on the outer peripheralportion of the shaft portion 5, 6.

The diameter of the seating portion 14 is slightly smaller than thediameter of a reel base introducing hole 125 formed on the lower shell121.

Thus, when the tape cassette 111 is received in the housing properportion 2, the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 are placed onthe seating portions 14, 14 formed on the outer peripheral portions ofthe shaft portions 5, 6 and these supply reel 112 and the take-up reel113 are lifted up toward the upper shell 120 side.

When the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 are lifted up, thereel plates 124 attached to these supply reel 112 and the take-up reel113 are also lifted up.

When the reel plate 124 is lifted up, the reel holder 122 is pressed andraises against the spring force of the reel spring 123 and a headportion of the reel holder 122 projects from the upper surface of theupper shell 120.

Therefore, when the lid portion 4 is closed, the head portion of thereel holder 122 is brought into contact with an inner surface of the lidportion 4 and the upper shell becomes pressed against the inner surfaceof the lid portion 4.

Therefore, similar to the cases of the previous embodiments, even whenthe tape cassette receiving housing is dropped by mistake and a forcefor moving the tape cassette in an axial direction of the shaft portions5, 6 is added, the tape cassette is prevented from moving in the axialdirection. FIG. 19 shows a tape cassette receiving housing of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

According to this embodiment, the tape cassette receiving housing 1 isequipped with the housing proper portion 2 for receiving the tapecassette 111, the lid portion 4 for opening or closing an openingportion of the housing proper portion 2, the shaft portions 5, 6 whichare formed on the housing proper portion 2 and penetrate into the reeldriving holes 114, 115 of the tape cassette 111 received in the housingproper portion 2, and a tape reel idle-rotation limiting member 50 forcovering the shaft portions 5, 6, which have cylindrical idle-rotationlimiting portions 53A, 53B formed thereon projectingly with engagingprojections portions 54A, 54B for engaging therewith the driving ribs116 of the reel driving holes 114, 115, and is formed by putting thetape reel idle-rotation limiting member 50 between the bottom surface ofthe housing proper portion 2 and the received tape cassette 111.

The idle-rotation limiting member 50 is made of a vacuum-formablesynthetic resin such as a vinyl chloride resin, a polypropylene resin orthe like; its base portion is laterally long rectangular sheetlike inshape; and a pair of idle-rotation limiting portions 53A, 54B areprojectingly formed on one major surface 51 side so as to be spaced fromeach other in a longitudinal direction. The dimension of thisidle-rotation limiting member 50 in a longitudinal direction is slightlysmaller than the width of a cassette receiving cavity portion 2a of thehousing proper portion 2. Furthermore, as will be described hereinafter,under a condition that this idle-rotation limiting member 50 is attachedto the housing proper portion 2, the other major surface 52 which is tobe engaged with the bottom surface portion of the cassette receivingcavity portion 2a is formed with a rough surface, although not shown inthe drawing. Thus, the major surface (engaging surface) 52 in relationto the bottom surface portion of the cassette receiving cavity portion2a is formed with a rough surface. With this, the contact resistancebecomes large.

The distance L1 between the idle-rotation limiting portions 53A, 53Bwhich are projectingly formed on the idle-rotation limiting member 50 ismade generally the same as the distance L2 between the shaft portion 5,6 which are projectingly formed on the bottom surface portion of thecassette receiving cavity portion 2a. Furthermore, these idle-rotationlimiting portions 53A, 53B are formed so as to be generally cylindricalin shape, and, as shown in FIG. 20, each height H1 is somewhat largerthan a height H2 of the shaft portion 5, 6 and an inner diameter D1 isslightly larger than an outer diameter D2 of the shaft portions 5, 6.

Furthermore, on the outer peripheral surface of the idle-rotationlimiting portions 53A, 53B, gear-like engaging projection portions 54A,54B which correspond to gear-like driving ribs 116 . . . 116 formedrespectively on inner peripheral surfaces of the reel driving holes 114,115 of the supply reel 112 so as to cover their entire periphery areprojectingly integrally formed respectively so to cover the entireperiphery. Thus, for the purpose of projectingly forming on thesheetlike base portion the idle-rotation limiting portions 53A, 53B onwhich outer peripheral surfaces the engaging projection portions 54A,54B are projectingly formed, they are formed on the idle-rotationlimiting member 50 by a vacuum forming method.

The thus constructed idle-rotation limiting member 50 is attached on thebottom surface portion of the cassette receiving cavity portion 2a so asto respectively cover the shaft portions 5, 6 with the idle-rotationlimiting portions 53A, 53B, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 19, whenthe tape cassette 111 received in the tape cassette receiving housing 1is carried. Thus, the tape cassette 111 which is to be received in thecassette receiving cavity portion 2a having the idle-rotation limitingmember 50 attached thereon is positioned by fitting the shaft portions5, 6 into the reel driving holes 114, 115 of the supply reel 112 and thetake-up reel 113.

Furthermore, by putting thereon the idle-rotation limiting portions 53A,53B, the engaging projection portions 54A, 54B are projectingly formedon the outer peripheral portions of the shaft portions 5, 6 so as tocover the entire periphery, and, as shown in FIG. 21, these engagingprojection portions 54A, 54B are engaged with the gear-like driving ribs116 . . . 116 which are formed so as to cover the entire periphery ofthe reel driving holes 114, 115 of the supply reel 112 and the take-upreel 113.

As is mentioned hereinabove, an intermittent vibration or the like isadded to the received tape cassette 111 by carrying the tape cassettereceiving housing 1. By this intermittent vibration or the like, thesupply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 having different moments ofinertia due to different amounts of wound magnetic tape 117 receives apulling force in the delivery direction intermittently and alternately.However, the engaging projection portions 54A, 54B of the idle-rotationstopping portions 53A, 53B which are projectingly formed on theidle-rotation limiting member 50 are engaged with the rotation-stoppingrib portions 114a, 115a. Therefore, the idle movement in a rotationaldirection of the supply reel 112 and the take-up reel 113 is assuredlylimited, and thus the idle rotation is impossible.

Therefore, the idle movement of the supply reel 112 or the take-up reel113 in either the delivery direction or the take-up direction of themagnetic tape 117 is assuredly stopped by the idle movement stoppingaction in the rotational direction through the above-mentionedidle-rotation limiting member 50. With this, the occurrence of thecinching phenomenon at the supply reel 112 is prevented, and the clamper126 at the take-up reel 113 is also prevented from coming off.

In this embodiment, the idle-rotation limiting member 50 which isequipped with the idle-rotation limiting portions 53A, 53B for coveringthe pair of shaft portions 5, 6 projectingly formed on the cassettereceiving cavity portion 2a is interposed between the bottom surfaceportion of the cassette receiving cavity portion 2a and the tapecassette 111. However, the idle-rotation limiting portion 53A may beprojectingly formed for covering either one of the shaft portions andmore preferably the shaft portion which is to be fitted into the supplyreel 112.

In this case, the driving ribs 116 . . . 116 of the reel driving holes114, 115 and the engaging projection portions 54A are in an engagedcondition and a rotational force is transmitted to the idle-rotationlimiting member 50 too by vibration in the rotational direction of thereel caused by vibration or the like. However, this rotational forceacts from the center side of the idle-rotation limiting member 50 andthe bottom body portion is widely in contact with the bottom surfaceportion of the shaft portion 5. Therefore, the idle rotation of theidle-rotation limiting member 50, i.e. that of the supply reel 112, isimpossible. Furthermore, the idle movement of the idle-rotation limitingmember 50 is more assuredly prevented by making the lower major surface52 side of the idle-rotation limiting member 50 rough, as is describedhereinabove.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of engaging projectionportions 54A, 54B are projectingly formed so as to cover the entirety ofthe outer peripheral surface of the idle-rotation limiting portions 53A,53B of the idle-rotation limiting member 50 which is to be interposedbetween the bottom surface portion of the cassette receiving cavityportion 2a and to be opposingly engaged with the gear-like driving ribs116 . . . 116 of the reel driving holes 114, 115 formed on the supplyreel 112 and the take-up reel 113. However, the number of this engagingprojection portions 54A, 54B may not be the same as that of the drivingribs, and it may be one or the plural number.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentionedlarge sized tape cassette receiving housing for business use whichenables the digital recording, and may be applied to other large sizedtape cassette receiving housings. In this case, the shape of thecassette receiving cavity portion or the shape of the shaft portions 5,6 is suitably changed, and according to this, the shapes of theidle-rotation limiting member and the idle-rotation limiting portion aresuitably changed.

We claim:
 1. A tape cassette receiving housing comprising:a compartmentportion for receiving a tape cassette; a lid portion for covering saidcompartment; at least one shaft portion having substantially smoothsides which penetrates into a reel driving hole on the tape cassettereceived in the housing; and an elastic member in close contact with aninside of said reel driving hole when said at least one shaft portion isinserted into the reel driving hole, wherein:said elastic body has afirst portion and a second portion; said second portion is shaped as atruncated cone; and said first portion has an opening therein; andwherein said opening is circular and has a smaller diameter than adiameter of a larger end of said truncated cone.
 2. A housing as claimedin claim 1 wherein said elastic member is disposed on said at least oneshaft portion and runs substantially an entire axial length of saidshaft portion.
 3. A housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said shaftportion and said elastic member have a substantially cylindrical shape;said elastic member is disposed on said shaft portion; and an innerdiameter of said elastic member is slightly smaller than an outerdiameter of said shaft portion.
 4. A tape cassette receiving housing,comprising:a compartment portion for receiving a tape cassette; a lidportion for covering said compartment; at least one shaft portion havingsubstantially smooth sides which penetrates into a reel driving hole onthe tape cassette received in the housing; and an elastic member inclose contact with an inside of said reel driving hole when said atleast one shaft portion is inserted into the reel driving hole,wherein:said elastic body has a substantially cylindrical shape, one endof which is substantially closed; and said substantially closed end ofsaid cylindrical elastic body has an opening; wherein said opening iscircular and has a smaller diameter than a diameter of said cylindricalelastic body; and wherein a portion of said cylindrical elastic body maybe folded over another portion of said cylindrical elastic body tofacilitate installation of the elastic body on said at least one shaftportion.
 5. A tape cassette receiving housing comprising:a compartmentportion for receiving a tape cassette; a lid portion for covering saidcompartment; at least one shaft portion having substantially smoothsides which penetrates into a reel driving hole on the tape cassettereceived in the housing; and an elastic member in close contact with aninside of said reel driving hole when said at least one shaft portion isinserted into the reel driving hole; wherein said elastic body is shapedas a truncated cone having a first diameter at one end which is smallerthan a second diameter at an opposite end; wherein said first diameteris smaller than a diameter of said shaft portion; and wherein said endof said elastic body having said first diameter is positioned inabutment with an end of said shaft portion and said elastic body isfolded over said shaft portion.